Acts 17:32-34

Introduction:

A. Job 14:14: Job's question has been asked repeatedly down through the ages. When ever man is faced with death, his thoughts go naturally to the subject of life after death.

B. Death comes to us from all the streets of life. It is inescapable

C. Like it or not, welcome it or dread it, we all must die. "It is appointed once to die…." Heb 9:27

D. For the child of God death is not the end.

1. Jesus comforted his sorrowing disciples, John 14:19

2. Only the Christian can look to the future with certainty

3. Easter speaks of the resurrection of Christ and this is our hope.

E. In Acts 17 Paul is waiting for his fellow workers in godless Athens: vs 16-17: NOTES

1. Luke tells us that when Paul spoke of the RESURRECTION there was a three-fold reaction:

I. SOME MOCKED: vs 32

A, In every age there have been those who have mocked God

1. Society Mocked God: Gen 6:3 "My spirit shall not always strive with man…" - "Why, Noah it has never rained"

2. In Noah's day, God gave society a big washdown. Society needs a good washdown, cleaning

3. Lot's wife mocked God: She couldn't make up her mind. She wanted Sodom and she wanted salvation; deliverance but pleasure

B. When Jesus was crucified they mocked: Matt 27:27-30

C. People today mock: Wag their heads; shake their fists; sound out hatred. But…

1. Gal 6:7 - You can't mock God and get away with it.

a. Some mock him with a false profession

b. Whatever a man sows, that will he reap. That's God's law

2. Society today says the resurrection is a trickery of the church

D. Writers, movie producers, television news people mock God

E. Peter tells us in the last days there will be MOCKERS: 2 Pet 3:4

II. SOME DELAYED: vs 32

A. Pharaoh Delayed: "Let my people go!" - "Who is this God, I don't know him!" - Notice Ex 7:22

B. The men of Athens delayed: How tragic to say Tomorrow when God says Today: Roverbs 27:1 - "Boost not thyself of tomorrow, for thou knowest not what a day may bring"

1. Notice James 4:13-14 - Waiting for tomorrow is a mistake because life is like a vapor

2. I have talked to people who have said "Tomorrow" - "Not now but someday" only to have their life snuffed out.

a. The road mark Tomorrow leads to a town called Never

3. We delay baptism, church membership, serving God

C. The five foolish virgins delayed - Matthew 25

1. Notice the question in Hebrews 2:3

III. SOME BELIEVED: vs 34

A. What is there to believe?

1. Confess Your Sins: Agree with; "Lord you are right I am wrong, I've sinned."

2. Confess You are Backslid: "Lord I am out of fellowship with God"

3. Confess Christ for Salvation: "Lord I am dead spiritually, I admit my need for forgiveness, I'm incomplete and I have come short of your glory"

B. At Athens they "clave to Paul" and believed.

Along the road of your life, God has placed many warnings. A church, a praying neighbor, a bible, a teacher, a pastor, a conference. Finally at the end of you life there is a barricade, the CROSS. You go through it and plunge into eternity lost.